Don’t know what I’ll cover. I’m ready early to go to the airport. I couldn’t sleep last night. We check out in half an hour. It’s only 2:30 am. The fun part of international travel.
So, on day 2 after we left the Guinness Storehouse (after way too much shopping) we headed toward the Temple Bar area. We were both starving. We walked in just far enough to see the actual bar called Temple Bar. Took a picture. Looked at the first posted menu and went inside. Theoretically it was a Mediterranean place, but they specialize in Traditional Irish Stew. It’s called La Med. It was the best stew I’ve ever had. It had a bed of mashed potatoes. Mashed potatoes have been so completely amazing here. And that’s saying a lot coming from me. But the meat and veggies were so tasty. I wish I’d gone back.
Thursday and Friday we had class. Lunch was provided by the hotel. Too much food. Pretty good though. On Thursday night we met with some people from the class and had our complimentary drink. This is where I first had the bartenders look at me funny when I said vodka sour. Anyway, I discovered Bulmers cider which is very popular here. It was alright. Very weird because I spent a lot of time thinking it might not be alcoholic. Nicole did as well. Then suddenly we were completely drunk off of it. Never a buzz, just straight on through to drunk. After a few there, we headed out to the Hairy Lemon. We’d seen it while wandering off Grafton Street the day before. A few more ciders and we went back to the hotel just a wee bit off. (Ref previous entry on “So drunk in Dublin”.
Friday was St. Patrick’s Day, of course. Unfortunately, we couldn’t see the parade because we were in class. After class was over, I wanted to go out right away. There was a blocked off section of street, and a big stage with performers. Lots of audience people dancing. Little kids on stage doing Irish dancing was so cute. They requested someone to come up who knew some silly song I’d never heard of. (Something about breakfast?) They held quickie auditions off to the side. The crowd went wild when they did it.
We then went off toward Grafton Street and then the Temple Bar area. So packed with people. Every pub was wall to wall. It would be quite a struggle to get to the counter. We crossed the river Liffey to the north side and ended up at the Gin Palace. More Bulmers and another make your own screwdriver. After hanging out a bit, we wandered around some more then decided to close down the hotel bar again. It’s such a cool place. Despite the fact that their live music is a Blues band. Kind of weird to go to Ireland to hear the blues. Hollywood Slim and the Fat Cats.
OK, gotta finish up and be on my way now. When I get back I’ll cover the weekend and perhaps go back to cover anything I glossed over.
